Series consideres real-time gaming

WRC TO BE THE SUBJECT OF INNOVATIVE VIDEO GAME CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
North One Sport, global Promoter for the FIA World Rally Championship
(WRC), has agreed a technical cooperation to investigate the feasibility
of real-time rally gaming. The ...

WRC TO BE THE SUBJECT OF INNOVATIVE VIDEO GAME CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

North One Sport, global Promoter for the FIA World Rally Championship
(WRC), has agreed a technical cooperation to investigate the feasibility
of real-time rally gaming. The consortium, including iOpener Media and
Black Bean Games, will explore a new interactive gaming concept for the
WRC based on real-time positioning data.

iOpener has been developing real-time high-accuracy positioning data in
interactive applications since 2007 and, in conjunction with North One
Sport, has secured the cooperation of Gulf Horizon Group, chaired by Mr.
Saeed Mohammed Saeed Al Badi. Black Bean Games, publisher of the
upcoming official WRC console game, will also support the project with
further technical expertise provided by their in-house production studio
Milestone.

The partners will work together to collect a continuous stream of
positioning and telemetry data from the cars competing on WRC rallies.
This data will then be applied and tested in a step-by-step plan aiming
to deliver a gaming experience that is consistent, reliable and accurate.

"This study should take us a step closer to our goal of allowing
WRC fans anywhere in the world the opportunity to become part of the
action," commented Simon Long, CEO of North One Sport Ltd.
"Using the internet they would be able to compete in the rally on
the same stages against some of the best drivers in the world. If this
test is successful then we hope in the future to crown our first virtual
rally champion."

iOpener CEO Andy Lurling added, "Together we aim to configure North
One Sport's systems and iOpener's patented technology to
capture high accuracy live action GPS which can then be integrated into
the next generation of WRC video games. These games will allow fans to
drive, co-drive, manage or simply watch the WRC from the heart of the
action."

"At Black Bean Games, there is always a great motivation to be at
the forefront of innovation so we can change the shape of gaming. We
choose revolution over evolution and believe this strategic partnership
will allow us to set a new benchmark in the future of the motorsports
gaming genre. We will be able to deliver a unique and realistic gaming
experience featuring exclusive opportunities and a technological
breakthrough. This is definitely part of our medium-term development
program that could become an integral part of the WRC games,"
commented Virgilio Bixio, CEO at Black Bean Games.